Chapter 141: A Child is Missing
The sky was dark, and rows of lanterns were hung up, with their little sparks reflecting against the night sky of Tonglin County, creating an interesting scene. However, the bustling crowds in Tonglin County added a sense of hustle and human warmth not found in the sky.
"It’s so lively!" Liu Qingyan exclaimed.
"So beautiful!" Liu Qingquan pointed to a large lantern hanging in the town center, "Isn’t that Sister Shen?"
Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan looked in the direction Liu Qingquan was pointing, and they saw a humanoid lantern floating in the center of the town, as tall as three people.
The lantern depicted a woman’s figure, with clothing identical to that of the Peach Blossom Fairy’s sculpture in Taohua Temple. Indeed, ancient craftsmanship was quite impressive, as the head and face of the lantern weren’t flat but made of woven bamboo strips, creating a three-dimensional appearance that exhibited the grace and peace of the Peach Blossom Fairy in Taohua Temple.
...
The daytime market gathering wasn’t much to speak of, somewhat like an enhanced Qixi Festival. Lu Zheng accompanied the Liu Family Sisters to stroll through the market, watched some performances, bought some items, and then participated in and watched the City God Temple’s blessing ceremony. However, due to the overwhelming crowd, they did not join in the frenzy to burn incense and offer prayers.
In the evening, after having dinner at home, they were pulled out again by the excited Liu Qingquan.
...
Tonglin County, adorned with numerous lanterns, indeed had a different flavor compared to the daytime. Though only a county, the common people also seized this rare festival in the year to relax. Each shop hung distinctive lanterns at their entrances, and many stores held small contests to win lanterns or other prizes.
Lu Zheng looked around. Although there were riddle-solving activities, they weren’t considered traditional programs, in line with other activities like pitch-pot, ring-toss, stilt-walking, and tug-of-war.
Also, Lu Zheng was looking for a chance to unleash his big trick, but even though some shops offered rewards for poetry writing, those rewards didn’t attract the Liu Family Sisters, and they never participated.